Friday, February 5, 2016

In Passing: Bob Elliot of Comedy Team 'Bob and Ray'

For forty-five years Elliot and his partner Ray Goulding
entertained audiences on radio and television with their deadpan humor, taking
turns portraying some self-serious character to be slowly and subtly skewered
by the other.

In spite of their long tenure, Bob and Ray never had
followings as large as other '50's stars such as Milton Berle or Sid Caesar.
Their greatest fans seem to be other comedians, counting Groucho Marx, Johnny
Carson, Woody Allen, and David Letterman as admirers.

Bob and Ray developed their partnership on a Boston radio
program in the late '40's. Elliot hosted a music program with Goulding reading
the news, then sticking around to swap stories with the host.

In 1951 they moved to television with the show, Bob and Ray.
The program also starred Cloris Leachman and Audrey Meadows, who eventually
left to join The Honeymooners.

In 1956 they won a Peabody award. The judges summed up their
approach "They deal primarily in satire, that rare and precious commodity.
Their aim is deadly, their level is high, and their material is fresh,
original, imaginative, and terribly funny."

They continued performing together until Goulding's death in
1990.

For more detailed coverage of their career and influence, I
recommend this article from the New York Times.

For a sample of their work, check out this short video clip
from the Bob and Ray Show, circa 1952.

For a few more pictures of Bob and Ray, please visit the
KultureKat Pinterest page.